Jayasurya: A Legacy Of 100 Films Tainted Overnight In Mollywood #MeToo Controversy

Who is Jayasurya?: The actor is among the many accused in the #MeToo scandal that has gripped Mollywood. The uproar began when the findings of the Hema Committee Report were made public on August 19. Several male actors have been facing a storm with new accusations and allegations coming up daily. The 235-page report details the shocking instances of sexual abuse and misconduct faced by women artists in the Malayalam film industry. Jayasurya is one of the actors against whom there have been several sexual assault cases lodged. The actor boasts a career of over 20 decades and has starred in over 100 films for which he has won several awards including the National Award and three Kerala State Awards.

#MeToo accused Jayasurya boasts an illustrious career of over two decades

Jayasurya made his acting debut as a background actor in 1999 with the film Pathram. His breakthrough role came in the film Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan (2000) in which he played a mute character. In the 2000s the actor gained popularity for featuring in comedy movies. Following this the actor ventured into doing serious roles which earned him massive critical acclaim.

In 2015, he won his first and only National Award. The actor received a special mention for his performances in Su.. Su... Sudhi Vathmeekam and Lukka Chuppi. He also won his first Kerala State Award special jury award for the same film. in 2018 he won the Best Actor award for Kerala State Film Awards for the movie Njan Marykutty Captain. In 2020 he again the Best Actor award for Vellam. Apart from these, the actor has one several other awards as well. His next appearance will be in Enthaada Saji, directed by Godfy Babu. He was last seen in the film Eesho which released on October 5, 2022.

In his personal life, the actor got married to his longtime girlfriend Saritha on January 25, 2004. The couple are parents to two boys. 

Jayasurya faces legal trouble in sexual assault case

Another FIR has been registered against actor Jayasurya following the complaint of an actress. Kerala Police informed ANI, "Second FIR registered against actor Jayasurya under 354, 354A(A1)(I) 354D IPC. The case was registered after the complainant's statement was recorded. FIR has been registered in Thiruvananthapuram and will be transferred to Thodupuzha Police Station."

As per OnManorama, a female actor from Thiruvananthapuram had filed a complaint against the actor. She has accused him of sexually abusing her at a location of the Thodupuzha film set. The publication also stated that a team led by Kerala Police Academy Assistant Director Aishwarya Dongre IPS will investigate the case. The second FIR comes after the police had already slapped a non-bailable charge against the actor on August 29 acting on a complaint from a Kochi-based actress. She alleged that the actor had assaulted her during the shoot of the film Vellam. Jayasurya is yet to respond to the allegations.

Jayasurya responds to FIRs against him

Actor Jayasurya on Sunday morning finally spoke up on the sexual harassment allegations against him. Two actors have filed police complaints against Jayasurya. The actor on August 31 on the occassion of his 46th birthday took to social media Facebook to state that he was currently not in India and that he will initiate legal action. "To all of you who have wished me on my birthday today, to all of you who are extending your support and standing by me, thank you. Due to my personal commitments, my family and I have been in America for the past month, and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me."

He shared that he has decided to move forward legally. "Quite naturally, it has shattered me, my family and everyone who has held me close. I have decided to move forward with this legally. My legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings regarding this case. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself," Jayasurya said. "A lie always travels faster than the truth but I believe truth will prevail," the actor said.